Peridot has a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. It is durable enough for everyday jewelry such as pendants and earrings but requires care to avoid scratches and chips.

August Birthstone: Peridot Meaning, History & Symbolism

Q: What does peridot symbolize?

Peridot symbolizes renewal, abundance, joy, and emotional healing. Often called the 'gem of the sun,' it has historically been worn as a protective talisman believed to ward off negativity while encouraging optimism and personal growth.

Q: Which chakra is peridot associated with?

Peridot is most commonly associated with the Heart Chakra, promoting compassion, forgiveness, emotional balance, and self-love. Some traditions also connect it with the Solar Plexus Chakra because of its golden-green color.

Q: Is peridot the same as emerald?

No. Peridot and emerald are different gemstones. Peridot is a variety of olivine, while emerald is a variety of beryl. Emerald is generally harder, darker green, and more expensive than peridot.

Q: Does peridot really come from space?

Yes, some rare peridot comes from pallasite meteorites that contain olivine crystals. However, nearly all peridot used in jewelry formed naturally in the Earth's mantle and reached the surface through volcanic activity.

Q: Why is peridot always green?

Peridot is always green because iron is part of its essential chemical composition rather than a trace impurity. The amount of iron influences the shade, ranging from yellow-green to olive-green.

Q: Can peridot be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner?

No. Peridot should not be cleaned with ultrasonic or steam cleaners because it can fracture. The safest cleaning method is warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush.

Q: How can you tell if peridot is real?

A jeweler can identify genuine peridot by its natural double refraction, which creates a slight doubling of facet edges under magnification. Authentic peridot also typically contains natural inclusions and displays yellow-green to olive-green hues.

What Peridot Is?
Peridot Colour and Value
Why Peridot Is Only Ever Green
Where Peridot Comes From
Spinel: The Modern August Birthstone
Sardonyx: The Ancient August Birthstone
August Birthstone Meaning and Symbolism
Which August Birthstone Should You Choose?
Choosing the Right Setting for Peridot
How to Spot Real Peridot
How to Care for August Birthstones
Peridot for Leo and Virgo
About Mindful Souls

What Peridot Is?

Peridot is the gem variety of olivine, one of the most abundant minerals inside the Earth.

Olivine makes up a large share of the upper mantle. When it grows clear and green enough to cut, it becomes peridot.

In other words, most peridot is a piece of the inside of the planet.

August Birthstones at a Glance

Feature	Peridot	Spinel	Sardonyx
Status	Primary, traditional	Modern, added 2016	Ancient, original
Colour	Yellow-green only	Red, pink, blue, violet, orange	Banded red-brown and white
Mineral	Olivine	Magnesium aluminium oxide	Chalcedony (sard + onyx)
Mohs Hardness	6.5–7	8	6.5–7
Meaning	Renewal, abundance	Vitality, devotion	Courage, communication
Anniversary	16th	22nd	Not assigned
Best For	Pendants, earrings	Rings, daily wear	Cameos, signet rings

Peridot Colour and Value

Pure grass green – No yellow or brown cast; considered the highest-value peridot color.
Bright lime green – Has a slight yellow tone; regarded as high value.
Olive green – Features a noticeable yellow-brown tint; considered moderately valuable.
Brownish green – Appears muddy under normal light; generally has the lowest value.

Size matters too. Peridot stays very affordable up to about three carats, then prices climb sharply.

Why Peridot Is Only Ever Green

This is the fact most guides state without explaining.

In most gems, colour comes from trace impurities. Amethyst is purple from iron traces in quartz. Emerald is green from chromium traces in beryl.
In peridot, iron is part of the core chemistry, not an impurity.
Remove the impurity from other gems and you get a colourless stone. You cannot do that with peridot.
Result: peridot occurs in exactly one colour.

Buyer warning: there is no blue peridot, no pink peridot and no rare purple peridot. Any seller offering one is misrepresenting the stone.

Where Peridot Comes From

Source	Note
Zabargad, Egypt	Oldest recorded source, located in the Red Sea.
Pakistan	Famous for Himalayan deposits producing large, high-quality crystals.
China	One of the world's major commercial suppliers of peridot.
Myanmar	Known for producing peridot with exceptional color and clarity.
Arizona, USA	Historically significant source, especially from the San Carlos Apache Reservation.
Tanzania & Vietnam	Modern mining regions with ongoing commercial production.
Pallasite Meteorites	Extremely rare extraterrestrial source containing gem-quality olivine crystals.

Peridot in History

340 to 279 BCE Mining likely begins on Zabargad island in the Red Sea, then called Topazios.
2nd century BCE Peridot appears in priests' jewellery.
Ancient Egypt Called the gem of the sun. Worn as a talisman against evil spirits and night terrors.
Cleopatra's era Many historians believe her famous "emeralds" were actually peridot.
Medieval Germany The Shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne Cathedral is set with roughly 200 carats of peridot, believed for centuries to be emeralds.
Today Zabargad's old name, Topazios, is why topaz carries the name it does.

Zabargad was known as the Island of Death. No fresh water, no shelter, venomous snakes and extreme heat. Miners were reportedly kept there under guard.

Peridot From Space

Peridot is one of very few gems that also arrives from beyond Earth.

Pallasite meteorites are a rare stony-iron type made of nickel-iron metal with olivine crystals suspended inside.
When those crystals are clear and large enough, they are gem-quality peridot.
Only a handful of pallasites have ever produced cuttable material.
On Earth, Papakōlea beach in Hawaii has green sand made largely of olivine grains.

Spinel: The Modern August Birthstone

Why Spinel Was Added

Spinel joined the August list in 2016, giving August birthdays a harder and more colourful option.

At 8 on the Mohs scale, spinel is considerably tougher than peridot and suits daily-wear rings.

The Black Prince's Ruby Is Not a Ruby

Red spinel was mistaken for ruby for centuries.

The most famous example is the Black Prince's Ruby, roughly 170 carats, set in Great Britain's Imperial State Crown. It is spinel.

Sardonyx: The Ancient August Birthstone

What Sardonyx Is

Sardonyx combines two forms of chalcedony: reddish-brown sard banded with white or black onyx.

Why Romans Used It for Signet Rings

Hot sealing wax does not stick to sardonyx.

That single property made it the Roman material of choice for signet rings, because the seal lifted cleanly every time. It has been a favourite cameo carving stone for millennia.

Mindful Souls

Natural Peridot Stone Bracelet

Wear the gem of the sun on your wrist. This natural peridot bracelet works with your Heart and Solar Plexus Chakras to invite warmth, joy, and abundance into everyday life — while gently shielding you from negative energy.
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Amethyst & Peridot Earrings – Vibrant & Refined Elegance

66 natural gemstones per earring. Bold enough to turn heads, light enough for all-day wear. Choose African Amethyst for calm and clarity, or Peridot for emotional renewal and fresh-start energy — both set in platinum-plated sterling for lasting brilliance.
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Natural Peridot Stone Jewelry Set – Ring, Pendant & Earrings (3-Piece)

A complete peridot ritual in three pieces. This ring, pendant, and earrings set channels the stone's connection to the Heart and Solar Plexus Chakras — supporting self-love, inner peace, and a more joyful perspective, no matter what the day brings.
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August Birthstone Meaning and Symbolism

Quality	Peridot	Spinel	Sardonyx
Renewal & Fresh Starts	●	—	—
Abundance & Prosperity	●	—	—
Releasing Resentment	●	—	—
Protection	●	—	●
Vitality & Energy	—	●	—
Courage	—	●	●
Clear Communication	—	—	●
Chakra	Heart, Solar Plexus	Root	Root

Peridot's traditional meanings in more detail:

Renewal. Associated with beginnings, which makes it a natural fit for crystals for new beginnings.
Abundance. Its warm green connects to growth, which is why it appears in prosperity practices.
Letting go. Linked to releasing jealousy, bitterness and old grudges.
Protection. Worn for centuries as a talisman against evil spirits.

For companion stones in the same heart chakra territory, see green calcite and chrysoprase.

Which August Birthstone Should You Choose?

Choose Peridot if you want the classic August birthstone—it is the most recognized August gem and carries strong symbolism.
Choose Spinel for an everyday ring—its Mohs hardness of 8 makes it durable enough for daily wear.
Choose Spinel or Sardonyx if you prefer colors other than green—Spinel comes in red, pink, blue, and more, while Sardonyx features distinctive earthy bands.
Choose Peridot as a 16th wedding anniversary gift, as it is the traditional anniversary gemstone.
Choose Spinel as a 22nd wedding anniversary gift, as it is the traditional gemstone for this milestone.
Choose Sardonyx if you appreciate carved gemstones or cameos—it has been used in gemstone carving for thousands of years.
Choose Peridot if you're looking for vibrant green color on a budget—it offers a beautiful green hue at a much lower price than emerald.

Choosing the Right Setting for Peridot

Peridot's softness is the most practical thing to understand before buying.

Everyday dust contains quartz at hardness 7. Peridot sits at 6.5 to 7. That means it slowly abrades just from being worn.

Jewellery Type	Suitability	Notes
Pendant or Necklace	Excellent	Almost no impact during everyday wear. The safest choice for peridot.
Earrings	Excellent	Minimal contact with hard surfaces, helping preserve the gemstone.
Occasional-Wear Ring	Good	Suitable for special occasions, dinners, and events with moderate care.
Daily-Wear Ring	Use Caution	Choose a bezel setting instead of raised prongs to better protect the stone.
Bracelet	Use Caution	Wrists frequently bump desks, countertops, and doorframes, increasing the risk of scratches.

Rule of thumb: if the recipient is a nurse, gardener, cook, or simply never removes their jewellery, buy the pendant.

How to Spot Real Peridot

The doubling test is the most reliable. Peridot is strongly doubly refractive, so light splits in two as it passes through. Glass is singly refractive and never shows this.

Test	Real Peridot	Glass or Fake
Doubling (Loupe)	Back facet edges appear doubled due to natural double refraction.	No doubling is visible.
Colour	Lime green to olive green with natural variations.	Deep emerald green or unusual, unnatural colours.
Inclusions	May contain small dark specks or characteristic "lily pad" inclusions.	Often perfectly flawless or contains round air bubbles.
Temperature	Feels cool to the touch and stays cool longer.	Warms up quickly when held in the hand.
Price	Reasonably affordable but still has genuine gemstone value.	Suspiciously cheap compared to the market price.

How to Care for August Birthstones

Do

Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush to safely remove dirt and oils.
Dry with a soft cloth after cleaning to prevent water spots.
Store each gemstone in a separate pouch to avoid scratches from harder stones.
Remove your jewelry before gardening, sports, or household cleaning to reduce the risk of damage.
Cleanse your crystals with moonlight, sound, or smoke if you follow spiritual crystal care practices.
Keep gemstones out of prolonged direct sunlight to help preserve their appearance over time.

Do Not

Do not use an ultrasonic cleaner, as peridot may fracture due to internal inclusions.
Do not use steam cleaning, which can damage certain gemstones.
Do not store gemstones loose with quartz or other harder stones, as they can cause scratches.
Do not expose your jewelry to acids or harsh chemicals, including household cleaners and chlorine.
Do not soak gemstones in water for extended periods, especially if they have treatments or settings that could be affected.
Do not subject gemstones to sudden temperature changes, which may increase the risk of cracking.

Peridot for Leo and Virgo

August spans two zodiac signs, and peridot suits both.

Leo (23 July to 22 August). Peridot's sun symbolism matches a sign ruled by the Sun. See Sun entering Leo and the Leo collection.
Virgo (from 23 August). Peridot's link with releasing self-criticism speaks to Virgo's exacting self-judgement. See the Virgo collection.

About Mindful Souls

Mindful Souls started in 2018 with a simple idea: to make crystals and spiritual practices feel more accessible in everyday life. Today, we're a community of over 180,000 people exploring these tools in a practical, personal way.

We carefully source all of our crystals directly from ethical suppliers around the world, ensuring they are 100% natural. Each one is also tested and third-party lab certified for authenticity and quality, so you always know what you're working with. If you're curious about how it all started, you can read more on our story page.

Frequently Asked Questions About the August Birthstone

What is the August birthstone?

Peridot is the primary August birthstone, a vibrant yellowish-green gemstone and the gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine. August is unique because it has three official birthstones: peridot, sardonyx, and spinel. Sardonyx is the oldest traditional birthstone, while spinel was officially added in 2016 to provide a wider range of colors and greater durability.

Why does August have three birthstones?

August has three birthstones because birthstone traditions have evolved over time. Sardonyx appeared in ancient birthstone lists, peridot became the most widely recognized traditional August gemstone, and spinel was added in 2016 to give people a modern alternative with exceptional durability and colors ranging from red and pink to blue and purple.

What does peridot symbolise?

Peridot is commonly associated with renewal, abundance, joy, and emotional healing. Often called the "gem of the sun," it has historically been worn as a protective talisman believed to ward off negativity while encouraging optimism, confidence, and personal growth.

Which chakra is peridot associated with?

Peridot is most strongly connected with the Heart Chakra, where it is believed to encourage compassion, forgiveness, emotional balance, and self-love. Some spiritual traditions also associate it with the Solar Plexus Chakra because of its golden-green color, linking it to confidence, motivation, and personal power.

Is peridot the same as emerald?

No. Peridot and emerald are completely different gemstones. Peridot belongs to the mineral olivine, while emerald is a variety of beryl. Although both are green, emerald is typically darker, harder, and much more expensive. Historically, some famous "emeralds," including stones on the Shrine of the Three Kings, were later identified as peridot.

Does peridot really come from space?

Yes—some peridot does have an extraterrestrial origin. Rare pallasite meteorites contain olivine crystals that can be cut into gem-quality peridot. However, nearly all peridot used in jewelry today formed naturally within the Earth's mantle and reached the surface through volcanic activity.

Why is peridot always green?

Peridot is naturally green because iron is part of its essential chemical composition, not just a trace impurity. The amount of iron determines whether the stone appears more yellow-green or olive-green, but unlike many gemstones, peridot occurs only in shades of green.

How hard is peridot?

Peridot has a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. It is durable enough for pendants, earrings, and occasional-wear rings, but it can scratch more easily than harder gemstones such as sapphire or diamond. Proper care helps preserve its beauty.

Can peridot be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner?

No. Peridot should not be cleaned using ultrasonic or steam cleaners because sudden vibrations and temperature changes may cause fractures. The safest cleaning method is warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush, followed by drying with a lint-free cloth.

How can you tell if peridot is real?

One of the easiest ways to identify genuine peridot is by looking through a jeweler's loupe for double images of the back facet edges, a result of its natural double refraction. Authentic peridot also displays yellow-green to olive-green hues and may contain tiny natural inclusions rather than appearing perfectly flawless.

Which zodiac signs are associated with peridot?

Peridot is traditionally associated with both Leo and Virgo. It complements Leo through its connection with the sun, confidence, and vitality, while it supports Virgo by encouraging emotional healing, self-acceptance, and the release of self-criticism.

What wedding anniversary is peridot for?

Peridot is the traditional gemstone for the 16th wedding anniversary, symbolizing harmony, growth, and lasting happiness. Spinel, another August birthstone, is traditionally associated with the 22nd wedding anniversary.

Written by:

Mindful Souls

Your destination for spirituality, mindfulness, and crystal jewelry. We simplify spiritual improvement, making it accessible and beneficial for everyone. With over 10 years in the mystical industry, we ensure quality through our experts in lithotherapy and geology.

Reviewed & approved by Monal Gehlot gem expert certified GIA.